Wem

Wem is what "our friends across the water" would define as "Quaint".

Wem Treacle Mine

Wem Sweet Pea Show

Wem Sweet Pea Show

Numerous small specialty shops stocked to the gunn'els and bursting with delights. An old fashioned iron mongers that sells everything! Wem also has one of Shropshire's best delicatessen and that's a reference in itself.

To help you re-live your childhood - You can visit "Mythstories" - a museum of myth and fable and enter the enchanting world of storytelling which brings many of Shropshire's legends to life. Afterwards pop in to the "Treacle Mine", a truly traditional sweet shop - Remember Pear Drops, Gobstoppers, Nut Brittle and Bonfire Toffee?

Wem is full of friendly folk - It could be down to the pace of life or simply that there are plenty of coaching inns where the ales are as real as the warmth of the welcome.

To be fair, the welcome wasn't always so friendly as some 5,000 Cavaliers found out when they attacked the town during the Civil War. The small Parliamentary garrison of 40 were so heavily out numbered that the women of the town joined in to help them and held the town. This gave rise to this taunting couplet:-

"The women of Wem and a few musketeers beat Lord Chapel and all his Cavaliers"

Now, consider if you will the humble sweet pea. Not to be confused, of course, with the garden pea: an ingredient only rarely to be found on the menus of Shropshire's many gourmet restaurants. First grown by the 18th century nurseryman Henry Eckford, the achievement of this humble son of Shropshire is celebrated to this day.

Each year, the Wem Sweet Pea Festival draws admirers from around the world. Apart from the most hardened fanatics, many go on to visit the grand gardens and other floral attractions that make Shropshire one of the most fragrant counties of England.

The notorious Bloody Judge Jeffreys was Baron of Wem and owned Lowe Hall - now a B&B. Other famous sons include William Hazlitt, Essayist, and John Astley, Painter.

Nearby is Hawkstone Park Follies an historic grade 1 listed landscape.

However you decide to visit Wem by car or main line train service you'll find this little market town has lots to offer - all served with a taste of "Little Old England".

If you would like to visit Wem and need accommodation and are interested in finding the best hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast or self catering property, please click here.

Please click the link to view a street map of Wem town centre

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	Focusing specifically on North Shropshire, these guides highlights some of the many attractions, activities and accommodation providers in North Shropshire. To request a copy of "Essential Shropshire" or the "North Shropshire Places to Visit" please visit the North Shropshire Brochure Request page